Into the Impossible With Brian Keating
Big Bang Productions Inc.
Think like a physicist. Wonder like a human. Into the Impossible is where Cosmic Conversations happen — uniting Nobel Prize winners, iconoclasts, authors, and technologists to explore reality’s deepest questions. From AI to aliens, from biophysics to the brain, from the cosmos to the multiverse, Brian Keating, Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Physics at UC San Diego covers it all.If you’ve ever asked What’s out there? or What’s next?, this is where curiosity meets clarity.Learn to think like this. 🎙 Full episodes, notes & more: briankeating.com/podcast
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 9, 2024 • 31min
Brian Keating Discusses the Ultimate Issues of Life With Dennis Prager
Dennis Prager, host of The Dennis Prager Show, joins Brian Keating to discuss cosmology, the Big Bang, and the idea of a perfect triangle. They delve into Olber's paradox, physicist beliefs in the Big Bang, and predictions about the past. A fascinating conversation on the universe's origins and mysteries.
May 5, 2024 • 1h 1min
Searching for Alien Earths with Lisa Kaltenegger [Ep. 411]
Award-winning astrophysicist Lisa Kaltenegger discusses the search for other Earth-like planets and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Topics include identifying signs of life, implications of discovering alien life, and the future of pedagogy in the field. Tune in for an exciting journey through space!
Apr 28, 2024 • 1h 5min
Exploring the Scientific Validity of the Multiverse Theory w/ Paul Halpern [Ep. 408]
Physicist and author Paul Halpern discusses the scientific validity of the multiverse theory, touching on topics like the controversy surrounding it, insights from Richard Feynman and John Wheeler, inflationary models and cyclic cosmology, bubble collisions, and detectability of phenomena like exoplanets and gravitational waves.
4 snips
Apr 21, 2024 • 1h 28min
Daniel Dennett: Do We Have Free Will? [Ep. 406]
Renowned philosopher Daniel Dennett discusses free will, human consciousness, ethics, and AI concerns in a deep dive interview. Known for challenging beliefs about the mind, he critiques Sam Harris's view on free will and explores the evolution of humor, music, and language. The conversation also touches on the origins of life, AI intelligence, memory outsourcing, bioengineering ethics, and modern parenting challenges.
4 snips
Apr 14, 2024 • 52min
Does Time Really Exist and How Can We Measure It w/ Chad Orzel (#406)
Join Chad Orzel, a physics professor, as he discusses the history and complexities of timekeeping. From Galileo's innovations to the relativity of simultaneity, explore the philosophical and scientific implications of measuring time accurately. Learn about attosecond clocks, the future of education post-COVID, and the intricacies of defining time in a universal sense.
Apr 8, 2024 • 12min
The Science and Wonder of Solar Eclipses: 4/8/24 (#405)
Delve into the wonders of solar eclipses, from ancient observations to scientific contributions. Explore the cultural and religious significance, practical applications, and the upcoming total solar eclipse in 2024. Discover how eclipses bridge wonder and discovery, shaping our understanding of the universe.
Apr 7, 2024 • 42min
How Our Moon Shaped the Course of Human History and Humankind w/ Rebecca Boyle (#404)
Renowned cosmic journalist Rebecca Boyle discusses how the Moon has influenced human history, military operations, and cultural beliefs. She explores the Moon's impact on Earth, biology, and cosmic origins. The podcast delves into future lunar development, Apollo missions, and the Moon's transient magnetic field.
Mar 31, 2024 • 51min
Chris Hayward: Lerner and Gupta Are WRONG About the Big Bang (#403)
Astrophysicist Chris Hayward discusses the controversy surrounding the brightness of early galaxies after the Big Bang. Using FIRE simulations, he explores galaxy maturity, dynamics, and black holes. The discussion highlights tensions in cosmology, the possibility of a 26 billion-year-old universe, and future research directions.
7 snips
Mar 24, 2024 • 1h 9min
Why ChatGPT Can’t Tell Compelling Stories (Yet) w/ John Vervaeke and Shawn Coyne (#402)
Join the discussion on AI's impact on tech giants like Elon Musk. Explore the collaborative book project 'Mentoring the Machines' with John Vervaeke and Shawn Coyne. Delve into the challenges of AI in storytelling, the future of academia, and AI's potential in psychotherapy. Discover how AI is reshaping education and the quest for meaningful narratives.
11 snips
Mar 17, 2024 • 3h 22min
Sam Harris: God Did NOT Write the Bible! (#401)
Neuroscientist Sam Harris discusses topics like free will, psychedelic drugs, meditation, and religion with host Brian Keating. They touch on AI, psychopathy, Trump's narcissism, colonizing Mars, and the nature of consciousness. A deep dive into reason, morality, and consciousness.
